10 Signs Your Decorating Addiction is in Full Swing

I’m 100% addicted to decorating…and I refuse to apologise for it. In fact, I’ve come to laugh at my crazy behaviour when it comes to home styling, purchasing and storing decor – and thankfully my partner has come to do so as well (we’ve been together over 10 years so he knows the deal by now – the poor bastard!).

Below I’ve compiled a list of 10 signs that indicate you’re clearly addicted to decorating. Give them a read, feel at peace with your own addiction and let me know in the comments below if there’s some zany behaviour I’ve left out 😉

10 Signs you have a Decorating Addiction

1. You don’t consider leaving a store empty-handed a fail

Baffled by people who find IKEA stressful? Me too. In fact, a true decor addict doesn’t necessarily go to IKEA (or any other store) to buy anything. This mecca for all things flatpack furniture is an inspiration station as much as it is a store. Spending three hours in the place and walking out empty handed is not considered a loss in my books. No. Because if you left with ideas and inspiration, you’ve actually gained something!

2. You hate it when people lean on your cushions

Having people over your place is a double edged sword. You want them to see the divine decor you’ve fussed over for hours pre-arrival, but you have to keep your screams both silent and internal when they lean on your cushions. A homewares novice has no idea that cushions are in fact for show and not for comfort – and they often leave you bashing cushions back into shape after they’ve left your place.

3. You request vouchers – not decor – for your birthday

A true decor addict knows all too well that despite their best efforts, your partner, friends or family members will most likely buy you something completely hideous if you leave the design decisions in their hands. In most cases, even if you carefully describe, detail or circle the piece you want in a catalogue, a decor rookie has no idea how to substitute should the piece you desire be sold out. It’s vouchers all the way in all scenarios. Am I right?

4. You get it: special occasion candles exist

It’s infuriating when people don’t grasp the concept that some candles are special occasion ones while others are everyday. I’ve gone months without lighting a candle out of fear it’ll burn away – and I think it’s perfectly normal. The only way you could get your other half to understand this concept is to explain how much your special occasion candles cost. But we’re not stupid, right? That would open up a whole other can of worms I’m just not prepared to deal with.

5. Going over other people’s homes is confronting

Is it rude to ask to move things in other people’s houses? A true decor addict has to wrestle with this internal dilemma every time they visit a friend or family member. The fact is that we all know where furniture and homewares are best placed – and how they should be styled. Not being able to rectify decor dilemmas in other people’s homes is just plain painful. It’s a struggle and it’s real!

6. People who don’t care about decor piss you off

Ever been at a social gathering and encountered someone who openly – and almost proudly – admits to not caring about decorating? I have and it’s a hard scenario to navigate through. The people I met openly admitted to never owning a candle. In fact, they scoffed at the very notion of scented candles. I kind of wanted to throw a candle at them and see if it helped them gain a better understanding of how they worked.

7. You’ve had an in-store tantrum – and you’re OK with that

Sometimes an embarrassing, in-store tantrum is the only thing that’s going to make your partner give in and let you get that rug you want – even though you brought a similar one three months ago. Decor addicts tire of their purchases quite quickly. It’s just how it works. Your partner knew what they were getting into when they entered the relationship. They probably encouraged this zany behaviour in the beginning and shrugged it off as a loveable, crazy quality. So, in fact, it’s their fault.

8. Moving house is like Christmas – but better!

Moving house doesn’t stress a decor addict like it would a normal person. Because the packing up of an old house and establishing a new one is a fresh opportunity to decorate. In fact, a decor addict will often find ways to get rid of old furniture once they’re in their new abode. They may even use tricky design phrases like “the proportions are off”, “it doesn’t function properly” or “I am going to die if I have to look at that again” to fool their partner in agreeing on getting new pieces.

9. Your partner talking design is the ultimate aphrodisiac

There is no greater moment than when your partner engages in design banter with you. In fact, when they bring it up without being prompted – sometimes suggesting a purchase for your home – it is enough to make you overturn the dining table mid-meal and whip out some Fifty Shades of Grey on them. There is no greater moment in life than when this happens.

10. You’re one storage box away from being on Hoarders

A decor addict might like to buy new stuff constantly, but it doesn’t mean they’re willing to give up the old stuff. We’re hip to the notion of homewares rotating; swapping things around with the change in seasons or when we randomly decide a particular pocket of our home needs a 9pm rejuvenation. If you’re with a decor addict you’ll know that storage is everything – and we’re really good at finding new places to hide things!

So there you have it; a list of lovely qualities all decor addicts have and I must admit that I’ve had every one of them over the years and feel absolutely no shame about it. I’d love to hear from you in the comments below as to whether there’s any other hilarious, whacky or concerning behaviour you exhibit as a decor addict 🙂

Outside of writing the TLC Interiors blog, Chris is an interior stylist and author. You can also catch him on your TV screens as a designer on Channel 10's Changing Rooms. If you'd like to book a design consult with Chris, you can find out more here

Comments (39)

Karen

How about you are constantly re-arranging things! My husband says he thinks he’s woken up in a different house sometimes!

HA hilarious – definitely feel the pain when a scented candle smells like NOTHING! and yes, I do mentally re-arrange furniture when visiting other people but only ever offer advice if asked! OH! and I don’t do the vouchers, but I am very SPECIFIC in what I want when people ask about gifts to give me (it’s usually decor, aaaand usually has to be ordered in), otherwise I wouldn’t want them to waste their hard earned cash! it’s the polite thing to do 😉

haha you are much more trusting with your friends and family than I am Crystal. And the only thing worse than the scented candle not smelling at all is the ones that are so powerful that you could slice the air with a knife and eat it on crackers!

kirstygirl7

Absolutely agree! Replacing home décor with the seasons (or just when the mood strikes) is our way. Changing cushions and throws, coordinated home décor and then of course storing it away when we buy new ones! Great article – very true.

Jennifer

Well Chris..You do what I have done in the new house we are building* You build a Store Room, with floor to ceiling shelving for all the things you just don’t want or need to see, BUT you want to keep. Jenn xx

Yvonne

Hi Chris. You’ve really brightened up my afternoon. So hilarious, but oh so true! Blown away last week when my hubby said he liked the new Aura cushions I’d bought. I’m having a new outdoor covered area built as we speak, but have decided I don’t like the flat ceiling (feels oppressive) trying to decide how to rake it. The structure is now built minus the roofing material, which will be colour bond.I can almost see the dollar signs in the builders eyes. However, he did put me onto a website I’d never heard of called Houzz. Wish me luck…

Oh, yes, I’m familiar with Houzz Yvonne – it’s a bit like Pinterest in terms of the addictive nature. Once you’re in it, it’s hard to get out lol. I hope the outdoor area goes well. I wanna see photos once it’s done (I love a before and after). And honestly, if more hubbies complemented decor they’d be in for treats around the clock haha 😉

Suzy

This is me down to a tee! My boyfriend didn’t understand why I got so upset when he actually USED my Laura Ashley tea towls to dry the dishes. They were hanging up so prettily – how could he not see they were just for show?! Crazy man!

Sharyn Orr

Yep! Can relate to all of these! I live , breathe and sleep decor/ interior design !!! My house ( still not finished yet) is an endless work in progress! Another one is an obsession with online window shopping!! A great day out for me is a trip to IKEA or Bundall/southport ….endless , amazing decor stores!!! Just to window shop!!!

Anubhav Grover

Stephanie

Helen

I’m single – which means I get everything my way – but no one to EVER hold me back. Borderline dangerous… No sooner do I have a new piece in place (which I have probably researched for weeks, made mood boards about and usually absolutely love, and dance around in raptures cooing and sighing) than I am squinting my eyes and wondering about new combinations – or what exactly is the touch that is needed to really make this area shine?! I love it! And I love people coming to see it – but don’t stay too long or you might mess something up ha ha. I am, completely, happily, broke and addicted.

Bec

Love, love, love, this article! It’s me to a ‘T’. I also prone to changing décor items with a coat of paint to tie in with a new look. And Chris I’m hanging out for a post about inspirational ideas on storing all the excess décor! I need all the help I can get in that area….

Jo

The Cushions…Oh the cushions….What annoys me even more is when they get up and walk away and the cushions are not in their place….Or the ones that try to put them back but 3 seconds after they have walked out of the house you are back there arranging them correctly

hahaha so funny, Jo. I love that moment when other people attempt to put your cushions back correctly and you have to give them a reassuring smile, wait until they go and then FLUFF the dear life out of the poor cushions!

Cathy

Totally love this , my favourites are 5 and 6 I always want to move things around at my friends and families homes, and I have no time for home and decor haters don’t want to know them , I just can’t relate it’s hysterical

Neema

I use Birthdays/anniversaries as excuses to “gift” décor to fix up the crime against interior decorating/tacky décor mistakes of Families and friends. It physically pains me to see incorrectly placed items, and I have asked if I can rearrange flower arrangements and displays etc. Luckily my friends/family are not the sensitive kind. Its kind of hypocritical cause I hate people coming to my place and moving things ( to be fair it took me 5 different attempts to find the perfect spot !)

Penny Grebert

roomsbyrom

Omg thanks for this article as I was really worried about this addiction and thought I was a alone!!
I tick all the boxes!! Although I I always buy at least a little something from Ikea. I always “need” something!! Lol
Lately I am obsessing about seasonal deco!!
I make mood boards all the time and have like 3 different complete Christmas tree themed looks and decorations stored away and always change the look in the end and buy everything new again!! Running out of storage space as I live in an apartment.
It’s my hobby and I am constantly moving things around. There is nothing that I enjoy doing more than this.
Bought carpets only to give them almost immediately away cause they weren’t the perfect piece that I was after lol
Completely hooked on following deco feeds in instagram. Omg i am sooooo addicted!!
Recently just Finished decorating my kitchen and bathroom to give it a summer coastal look and even though I just bought all my living room deco, I now really want to update it again for summer.This is the never ending story as as soon as autumn starts to show up then I am looking for warmer deco pieces again!!

haha Romina this is such a hilarious comment and I can relate to ALL of it 🙂 I have written several stories on the blog before and the need to buy things, going to IKEA, changing up your decor every three months… the list goes on. At least we know we’re not alone – and in very good company. Thanks for commenting and for the laugh!

I love that you included having an in store tantrum because that has happened to me. The place didn’t have the color I was looking for and it was infuriating. This is when finding things online can be advantageous.

Hi Chris
You do what I have done in the new house we are building.Changing cushions and throws, coordinated home decor and then of course storing it away when we buy new ones. Thanks for the sharing such a great article. If you had more insight i will greatly appreciate it.